Seven Bears in Pro Bowl

December 20, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears lead the NFL in wins -- and Pro Bowlers. The Chargers placed nine players on the AFC squad and the Bears had seven on the NFC team, which also includes a quarterback -- Dallas' Tony Romo -- who wasn't a starter when the season began. San Diego's contingent includes quarterback Philip Rivers, who sat on the bench for his first two seasons behind Drew Brees, who signed as a free agent with New Orleans in the offseason and will start for the NFC. Also representing the Chargers is linebacker Shawne Merriman, last year's defensive rookie of the year, who made it despite missing four games for flunking a steroid test. Chicago's representatives demonstrate how the Bears won: with defense and special teams. Three of the seven Bears, led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, are on defense (lineman Tommie Harris and linebacker Lance Brigge) and three are on special teams -- kicker Robbie Gould, specialist Brendan Ayanbadejo and rookie return man Devin Heste. Center Olin Kreutz, a perennial at his position, is the only Bears Pro Bowler on offense.